Not a winger: Liverpool now offered £51.4m transfer that fixes Iraola problem

Lamine Camara has reportedly been offered to Liverpool and Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window deadline on September 1.

Ben Jacobs shared the update in question on X (formerly Twitter), with Monaco already understood to have turned down an offer from Crystal Palace this August.

The Merseysiders remain in need of midfield reinforcements to address a severe lack of options with natural defensive instincts.

Could Liverpool make a late swoop for Lamine Camara?

There’s an argument to be made that this type of signing should be considered an absolute priority for the powers that be at the AXA centre.

However, such has been the Reds’ strange planning this summer that we now have limited time left (and apparently even more limited budget) to address an array of gaps in the squad.

For the time being, it would appear that the forward line is the priority, with a deal already well along in the pipeline to bring Bradley Barcola to L4.

Likewise, failed bids submitted for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr prove the Merseysiders are keen to bolster the right flank beyond the arrival of the French international.

Why would Andoni Iraola like Camara?

We’ve gone into some detail previously as to why Camara would be a great fit for this Liverpool side.

Most notably, he’s excellent behind and against the ball, with some truly impressive statistics around duels and recoveries.

Additionally, he’s clearly trusted on the ball and boasts impressive creative capabilities compared to his peers in the French top-flight.

Why wouldn’t such a multi-faceted option appeal to Iraola?

Liverpool need a midfielder or time to coach Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch

It would be remiss of us to suggest that it would be impossible for Andoni Iraola to coach his preferred midfield pivot to play in his image.

However, judging by the pair’s ceaseless marauding during the 2-2 draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park, time is clearly needed for the Basque to make his mark on this side.

But you would think an arrival of Lamine Camara’s nature would somewhat simplify that process, given the Senegalese is more naturally predisposed to the defensive side of the game.

Not to mention the fact that we could probably use another body in the middle of the park after a squad option in Curtis Jones was sold to Inter Milan.

But it all depends on how much budget we have left to play with after reinforcing the forward line – a situation that would be helped considerably by the potential sale of Cody Gakpo to likely suitors, Tottenham.

How much will it cost to sign Lamine Camara?

Reports elsewhere indicate that Camara will set an interested party back within the range of £42.8m-51.4m.